AFT President Weingarten Praises ERA Ratification for Gender Equality

Equal Rights Amendment Ratified, Declares President Biden

WASHINGTON – The announcement from President Joe Biden regarding the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) has been met with significant attention. A statement from AFT President Randi Weingarten highlighted the importance of this development, emphasizing the principle of gender equality under the law.

“Today, President Biden announced the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, enshrining the basic principle that men and women should be viewed and treated as equal under the law. It should have always been a foundational promise of our democracy, but it has taken generations of struggle to get us here. This historic and momentous announcement, making the ERA the law of the land, answers a call for immediate action from more than 500 women of the labor movement who represent working people across the nation,” Weingarten stated.

Originally drafted by Alice Paul nearly 100 years ago, the ERA seeks to address and combat the systemic challenges faced by women. These challenges include pay inequity, workplace harassment, and restricted advancement opportunities, disproportionately affecting women of color, economically disadvantaged women, women with disabilities, immigrants, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Weingarten also noted that the ratification of the ERA is a critical step in creating equitable opportunities for women, especially those in professions dominated by females, such as education. She expressed gratitude to President Biden for his role in this milestone, acknowledging the efforts of past suffragists, labor leaders, and activists who have long campaigned for legal equality.

The AFT, which Weingarten represents, is a union comprising 1.8 million members, including educators across various levels, government employees, healthcare workers, and early childhood educators.